Judge tosses Zumba sex privacy charges

Credit: Portland Press Herald (File)

A Maine judge yesterday threw out all 46 charges of invasion of privacy against Mark W. Strong Sr., accused of helping run a one-woman bordello in a Kennebunk Zumba studio and recording johns having sex, court records state.

Prosecutors immediately called for a halt to Strong’s trial and appealed the decision to Maine’s highest court.

Strong’s lawyer, Daniel Lilley, objected to the delay, saying prosecutors do not have the right to appeal. Lilley said he was concerned Strong could suffer if potential jurors become frustrated by the delays.

“These people are sitting in the basement of this place (the courthouse) here for four days. They get 10 bucks a day and 16 cents a mile,” Lilley told WGME-TV outside the courthouse. “They’ve got to put up with this for four days then to have this maybe thrown out, it’s not right for anybody. If the state wants to go forward; go forward.”

Strong still faces 12 counts of promotion of prostitution and one charge of conspiracy.

Alexis Wright, the woman accused of providing sex for the Zumba business, pleaded not guilty to 106 counts of invasion of privacy, engaging in prostitution, promotion of prostitution, conspiracy, tax crimes and illegally receiving welfare benefits.